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Parked in ’56? 1948 Studebaker M5

We recently featured a 1946 Studebaker truck here on Barn Finds. That particular truck was a long-box heavy-duty M15 version. This one is the more desirable short box M5 and is almost identical to the one I wrote about finding on my grandparent’s property in the first article. This 1948 can be found here on eBay with a current bid of less than $2,000. Located in Ottertail (yes…Ottertail), Minnesota, there isn’t much information in the ad, but we can piece together some things from the photos. Take a look.

The engine is a straight-six, which is very common in these M trucks. Most likely it measures 170 cubic inches and is rated at a blistering 80 horsepower. The heavy-duty M16 got a Commander 6 that measured 226 cubic inches. The truck was supposedly parked in 1956 and has not run since then.

The interior looks very original, which is a plus. You can tell from the photos this truck hasn’t been messed with and is a very original example. Unfortunately, if it has been parked for over sixty years, it may be a challenge to get it going again. Other than the upholstery being gone, all the parts and pieces look there.

According to studebakerdriversclub.com “By the time the war in Europe was finally coming to a close in the spring of 1945, there was a critical need for new trucks for both industry and agriculture…Full production of 1946 M-series trucks began with 367 M5s built in December 1945…All M5s now had body-colored fenders, while larger models continued to be equipped with black fenders.  M-series truck production continued with the same drive trains throughout 1946 and 1947 and into March 1948.” I hope this truck gets a second chance at life and makes a fun project for a new owner. What do you think of it?

Comments

  1. HoA Howard A Member

    I have to chuckle, where was this thing, underwater? There isn’t a speck of actual color anywhere. This person in Ottertail, has a slew of these. Kind of the Sweetgrass of Minnesota.These were my favorite Studebakers, hard to find today. This would be considered an “ambitious” restoration, and since they’re taking it apart anyway, in goes the 900hp mombo motor, and that’s ok. It’s useless as is.

    Like 3
  2. Avatar Bultaco

    If it’s not rusted in half and if the engine hasn’t become a one-piece motor, it’s an easy resto. Lots of media blasting, but the rest is so simple that costs won’t be crazy.

    Like 2
    • Avatar Dave H.

      I happen to have a 1947 M5 in my barn. It is in original condition. While it needs a complete update, everything is there and the engine still builds compression. It has been in the family sense original as best I can tell. I plan to restore it but plan to upgrade the drive train to modern quality and add AC so I can enjoy the ride. I’ve had it for almost 40 years already.

      Like 0
  3. Avatar rjc

    I used to have one, and wish I still did! Probably the only mass-produced vehicle that had the same part number for each side’s front and rear fenders.

    Like 3
  4. Avatar On and On Member

    Feb 2020 issue Collectible Automobile has a short write up and nice pictures of a 1947 M-5. This one doesn’t say which transmission it has, they came with 3 different versions, 3spd, 3spd w/od, and 4 speed. Nice find. Happy holidays to all and a safe and healthy New Year.

    Like 4
    • HoA Howard A Member

      Hey Gregg, I believe this is a 4 speed. I read, the O/D was used in conjunction with the 3 speed on the column. There would also be a knob under the dash for O/D lockout next to the hood release. I do, however, think it has the “hill-holder” clutch ( that Subaru nabbed when the patent ran out) in the engine compartment, it was actuated by that switch at the bottom of the clutch travel.

      Like 2
      • Avatar geomechs Member

        I’m inclined to agree with you, Howard. The 4-spd had a thicker shift lever. Probably a Warner T-9, just like so many other trucks used at the time…

        Like 3
  5. Avatar Steve Bush Member

    Saw a dark blue 1952 short bed 4 wheel drive version earlier this year that looked to be a nice unrestored original. Sorry, can’t access the pics as they were on my old cell phone. Anyway, I’d like to see this one with black fenders and an Golden Hawk or Avanti Supercharged engine and overdrive auto along with a modern suspension, tires and brakes.

    Like 1
  6. Avatar Brian C

    The switch at the bottom of the clutch travel was actually a clutch/starter cutout. The hill holder was attached to the brake reservoir. I have one of these that I got from Wyoming and is … was and will be in much better condition than this one. The fenders on have to be eaten up if the doors have that much rust on them. Of course mine had the 4spd that had a PTO on it and the champ six flat head but those are long gone. Was gonna hotrod it but now I will be putting it back together along with a flat head ford and 4spd that I pulled out of my 41 COE.

    Like 4
    • HoA Howard A Member

      Thanks Brian, never had one so I wasn’t sure.I don’t remember any other vehicles that had that cutout. Studebaker was on the ball for safety.

      Like 2
  7. Avatar Johnmloghry

    This looks to me to be a candidate for the S-10 or Ranger chassis to be put underneath and just drive.
    God bless America

    Like 0
    • Avatar Ron

      A late 80s Dakota fits a lot better and is easier

      Like 2
  8. Avatar Bob C.

    Parked in a field? Parked in a barn/ garage since 56?

    Like 0
  9. Avatar jimmy the orphan

    Looks like the air cleaner will buff right out !. People in Ottertail Minn. didn’t park 8yr. old pickups in 1956 just because there was a chip in the windshield. I’d look for a large hole in the oil pan. But no matter. Johnmloghry has the right idea. these old trucks are so cool, lots of work but well worth it. Later…………JIMMY

    Like 1
  10. Avatar John S

    Supposedly parked in 1956… in Texas, not Ottertail. If that’s true, or not, no matter where it was stored, (save controlled environment) it would be subjected to moisture to some extent for over 60 years, so yeah, surface rust would occur. However, this thing looks to be mostly original & complete. While there are a few rusted through areas, it doesn’t look that bad and could definitely be restored to what ever extent the new owner sees fit. If I didn’t have 5 projects going right now, I’d consider this one.

    Like 1
  11. Avatar Brakeservo

    One of the terms for “Truck” in Russia is “Studebaker.”

    Like 2
  12. Avatar Ken

    “Supposedly parked is 1956” is right. On the wheat farm I grew up working on, there were three IH L-160s with license plates that expired in 1966. They definitely weren’t parked – the last survivor was worked until 1985, when it was destroyed in a fire. Since they never left the farm, there was no need to license them, and I suspect this Studebaker was in use well beyond 1956 on the farm where it resided.

    Like 2
  13. Avatar geomechs Member

    I want to do up a Studebaker someday and this model would be just the ticket. These were so simple. I wouldn’t be all that fussy about the miniscule six under the hood but I wouldn’t be inclined to want to drive it much over 50 anyway. I still like how the designers used the same fenders on front and rear. You have to look for it to see it…

    Like 3
  14. Avatar jimmy the orphan

    If it wasn’t for Studebaker trucks the Russian army would have had to walk all the way to Berlin……….Later……………………..JIMMY

    Like 1
  15. Avatar Robert Berge

    My grandma was from Ottertail, MN

    Like 0

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